Mods Note: Both "Village" Review threads have been merged into this one. To view the original posting of Ebert's review, click here.

"This is, hands down, the best new film of the year so far. Shyamalan surpasses even his own greatest work to deliver an utterly accessible, totally enthralling and thoroughly unmissable film that is perhaps one of the most original works to hit the big screen in recent years. In a word: wonderful."

http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/review.asp?ReviewID=44

Awesome. I'll be there opening day.

Might aswell get my views about Shyamalan out now..

If I wanted to see a 2 hour tease and then get surprised by the ending I would go to a strip bar. But considering the surprise twist would be disturbing in a strip bar, I'll watch the village instead.

either way, It's going to be a looong tease before any sort of pay out.

so far so good

But the only critics I trust are my local ones because I pretty much have their tastes nailed down.

One review means very little to me. I'm sure it will be at least decent, though.

Sixth Sense = All about the tease. Without it, the movie is average.
Unbreakable = Excellent! good even without the ending twist!
Signs = Not much of a twist, it's a well made movie, but there are soooo many faults with it. Like a magic book which explains everything because there's no other way to get the information out, and a few other huge writing mistakes.

I cant' wait to see this. Shamalan's previous films were all fantastic. Some might call things like water as the enemy and slow pacing as "flaws" or something, but in general I think M Night is just a great great director. This looks to be good too and I can't wait to see what he turns out. In a Hollywood where most movies are manufactured, it's great to see a big budget film that's somebody's vision. That's just so rare these days.

That's weird wording. The best new film of the year? Why not just say the best film of the year? We'd know what they meant.

I was pretty disappointed by "Signs" and think Shyamalan may be a one-trick pony. Have to admit the critique of "Film Focus.co.uk" whom I've never heard of doesn't exactly make me jump up and down. Have to see what other critics say later this week.

Well, most reviews will not hit all that early. Seems Disney and Shyamalan do not want Internet and some print critics to see this early, with most of their screenings set for Thursday night, or in some cases (New York I hear), not at all.

We'll see...

Somebody over at CHUD has seen this and was decidedly underwhelmed.
Supposedly a corker of a 'twilight zone' ending (hopefully not the one rumored a few months back) and a couple of nice scares/ scenes, but overall a dissapointment.
We'll see in a few days. My curiousity is certainly piqued.

I think they've done a marvelous marketing job on this, it will open huge before dropping off considerably with weak word of mouth.

A friend of mine made that exact comment after seeing Signs.

...the drop off just didn't happen.

Yeah, some may not like Shynmalan, but he's very popular in the mainstream. Whether you liked Signs or not, it was a massive hit, opening large and having good word of mouth and great legs. While it's hard to say whether The Village will perform more like Signs and 6th Sense, or like Unbreakable, there's no doubt it will do well. And word of mouth? Well, I don't know. A lot of the negative things I've heard about this are by...people who haven't seen the movie and hate M Night movies.

Plus, that'd cost you significantly more than the cost of a movie ticket. (Especially if the surprise twist is a happy ending)

I'll see it, I find his movies incredibly entertaining.

I'll watch it just to see how he gets himself into a movie that's set in the 1890's.

Actually I've really liked all his movies so far which is why I am really anticipating this one.

Early reviews always seem to gush, even if it's undeserved.

I can't wait to see this either. Plus, I always gotta support a fellow NYU alumni.

I don't think it's gonna make as much as Signs though. I mean, c'mon, it's opening up against Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle!

This is one that i'm going to see on opening day (dont often, hate crowds). I've enjoyed all M's films, and from previews i've seen, this one looks at least as good as his others.

I bet you the surprise twist is that it is the kids in the forrest. my guess anyways and it is just a god damn prequel to Children of the Corn.

I'm a fan of his movies and I have no doubt this flick will be decent.

I've loved every one of his movies so the wife and I are breaking our theater boycott to go see this flick. Others can criticize him all they want but, dammit, he has me hook, line & sinker.

Even "Wide Awake" ??!!

Signs soured my view on M. forever.

I'm definitely there opening weekend.